I am looking for a 7-8 seater car that is fuel-efficient and comfortable for daily driving in Bangalore city, with reasonable service costs. My budget is between ₹15-18 lakh. I have been considering the Kia Carens and Ertiga. Which car would you suggest among these or any other options? Also, should I choose an automatic or a manual?

Autocar India

•2d

With 20,000 km a year, mostly in the city, and a hard cap of around ₹20 lakh, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is the most sensible 7-seater for you. However, your budget will get you the 42kWh variant, which is fine for city use and short highway trips. If you want longer range, you will need to stretch your budget by about ₹4 lakh for the 51.4kWh variant.For your daily city runs, it will feel smooth, and an EV takes the stress out of traffic jams. It is light to drive and not too big, so parking is easier than in larger 7-seaters. For once-a-month trips, it has enough space for family and luggage if you travel light, and the third row can accommodate adults.There are no hybrid 7-seaters in your budget. The Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid starts upwards of ₹30 lakh, but if you want to stick to an ICE vehicle, the Carens Clavis with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and DCT is a good alternative. Do note though, the DCT can hesitate at slow speeds and won’t feel as smooth or as stress-free as the Clavis EV.Overall, for your budget and city-heavy use, the Kia Carens Clavis EV fits best.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•20h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga if your priority is comfortably accommodating all six family members while still keeping ownership easy and stress-free within your budget. Coming from a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, the Ertiga will feel like a major upgrade with a much more spacious cabin, comfortable ride and easy drivability in the city. While still being efficient and inexpensive to maintain over the long term. It is also comfortable enough for occasional hill drives and highway trips with the entire family, which makes it the most rounded option for your usage.If you want something smaller and easier to drive in tight city conditions, you could also consider waiting for the turbo petrol version of the Renault Triber, which is expected later this year. The Triber already offers impressive space for its size and is very practical for family use. Also, a turbo petrol engine would make it far better suited for highway and hill driving than the current naturally aspirated motor.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Renault Triber

Autocar India

•3d

We would still pick the Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 turbo with the DCT for you. The back seat is the key here: the Carens has a lower step-in and wide door opening, which makes it easier for your mother to get in and out and sit comfortably. In slow city traffic, the ride feels soft and calm in the back, and on the highway, it stays steady and quiet enough for long runs. The variant with 16-inch wheels will be a tad more comfortable than the high-end variants with 17-inchers.On your DCT worry, try the following practices to ensure that the DCT doesn't heat up - avoid holding it on the throttle on slopes, and if you are stopped for a long time, keep the brake pressed or shift to Neutral. Do take the full extended warranty for peace of mind.For a relatively more worry-free experience, you could also consider the Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT, if having a seven-seater isn't a priority.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

Both perform very well for your requirements, but overall, the Skoda Kylaq is the better choice. The Citroen C3 X has a slightly comfier ride quality, its AC performance is very strong, and its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is quite punchy. However, the Kylaq's 1.0 TSI engine is more powerful, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox has been tuned for even greater responses. As such, it will feel more eager on ghats and highways. It too has excellent suspension and absorbs bumps and broken roads well. Moreover, the Kylaq sits in a segment above and hence offers more space in the back seat and the boot, which will be useful for your passengers and luggage. Moreover, the build quality is stronger, the interior feels more upmarket, and though it may be more expensive, there are more features on offer than in the Citroen. Hence, we recommend that you go with the Skoda.

Skoda Kylaq

Citroen C3